Analysis of San Francisco Juvenile Justice Reforms During the Brown Administration

• NCJ Number: 189756
• Author(s): Daniel E. Macallair MPA; Michael A. Males Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 17 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Haigh-Scatena Foundation; California Wellness Foundation
• Corporate Author: Justice Policy Institute
• Sale Source: Justice Policy Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This research was conducted and reported at the request of the Honorable Matt Gonzalez, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; downloaded August 17, 2001.

Annotation

This study examined whether San Francisco juvenile justice reform under the Brown administration produced reductions in juvenile detention bookings and whether the reform reduced disproportionate minority confinement.

Abstract

These issues were analyzed through an analysis of youth detention trends in San Francisco over the past 15 years. Study results showed that the current population at the Youth guidance Center (YGC) was at historically high levels, despite 5 years of unprecedented investment in new programs and downward trends in youth population and felony and misdemeanor arrests. Based on this analysis, there was no evidence that new programs and services initiated over the past 5 years had resulted in a lower youth detention population. An analysis of the available data showed that the percentage and total number of San Francisco youths detained at the YGC was increasing. This increase began in the mid-1990's and then accelerated during the Brown administration, before leveling off at current rates. Further, data analysis showed that the disproportionate confinement of African-American and Hispanic youth worsened in the 1990's. From 1992 to 1999, the African-American share of detained youth increased from 49 percent to 51 percent, and the Hispanic share increased from 16 percent to 17 percent. The share of white detainees decreased from 17 percent in 1992 to 12 percent in 1999. Population changes did not explain these trends. San Francisco's increase in juvenile detentions was not justified by changes in juvenile crime patterns. In the period 1996-99, San Francisco juveniles were detained at a much higher rate for less serious offenses than juveniles in past years. This study recommends that the Board of Supervisors examine the design and impact of new programs funded through the probation department and the Mayor's Criminal Justice Council. The Board should conduct an independent evaluation of how money was spent and how programs were implemented. In addition, future research should explore the probation department's development of out-of-home placement options and the effect of youths awaiting placement on the average daily detention population. Finally, the Board should enlist the assistance of outside experts to provide independent analysis and technical assistance in implementing juvenile justice reform. 5 figures, 8 tables, and 13 references